MASSterList: Just like that | It’s Spilka | Sales-tax guinea pigs

MASSterList: Just like that | It’s Spilka | Sales-tax guinea pigs

Frank Avruch, former Bozo the Clown, dies at 89   WCVB is reporting that long-time TV personality Frank Avruch, best known as Boston’s very own ‘Bozo the Clown,’ has passed away at the age of 89. Though he’ll forever be linked to Bozo, Avruch was also host of ‘The Great Entertainment,’ ‘Man About Town’ and a ‘Good Day’ contributor, among other things, over the course of his 40-year broadcast career. He had a wonderful voice and his ‘Great Entertainment’ movie introductions were sophisticated and even mesmerizing at times. The Boston Globe and Universal Hub have more. RIP, Frank. WCVB

CHARLIE BAKER CONTINUES TO PROVE THAT HE'S INCAPABLE OF GOVERNING! WHERE WERE THE AUDITS?

The State Police scandals: It all starts at the top   The Globe’s Mark Arsenault talks with several experts, including former Boston police chief William Bratton, about how the Massachusetts State Police have squandered public trust amidst recent scandals -- and how they can win back that public trust. It won’t be easy. The bottom line: It all starts and finishes at the management top.  In an editorial, the Springfield Republican says the overtime scandal in particular has exposed “institutional dishonesty that has damaged public trust in an already checkered department to an almost irreparable degree.” Btw: House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Senate President Harriette Chandler may grill State Police on the apparent dysfunction at the agency, but are holding off for now on possible public hearings, Arsenault at the Globe reports. DeLeo does plan to meet with State Police chief Kerry A. Gilpin. Wynn to sell off shares, but is it enough to save the Everett casino license?   Steve Wynn, the disgraced former head of Wynn Resorts, says he plans to sell part or all of his stock holdings in the embattled casino company, reports Jordan Graham at the Herald. But if he and Wynn Resorts think the move might salvage the company – and its Everett casino license -- they have reason to pause. “Our investigation remains very active and aggressive,” said a spokeswoman Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which is deciding whether Wynn Resorts can keep the Everett license in the wake of Steve Wynn’s sexual-harassment controversies. Boston Herald     Pipeline war update: Protester demands jury trial, businesses push for more natural gas capacity   The Berkshire Eagle’s Heather Bellow reports that an activist charged with assaulting state troopers during an anti-pipeline protest has denied hitting anyone, turned down a plea deal and is demanding a jury trial. Meanwhile, business bigwigs belonging to the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership have written to Gov. Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Senate President Harriette Chandler urging them to support increased natural gas capacity (i.e. more pipelines), though the group favors a shift to hydro-electricity and renewable energy too, reports Bruce Mohlat CommonWealth magazine. CLICK ON LINK FOR MORE!